FARJANA GHOUSHIA DAWOOD Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition has been preferred challenging the note dated 23.06.2020 issued by the District Collector, Virudhunagar, in and by which, the authorities concerned, including the Tahsildars, have been required to immediately identify the persons who were in contact with persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Virudhunagar District and quarantine those persons at the COVID-19 Care Centres.

(2.) This Court heard Mr. Veera. Kathiravan, learned Senior Counsel representing M/s. Veera Associates, learned counsel on record for the petitioner, Mr. K. Chellapandian, learned Additional Advocate General appearing for the State and also Mr. R. Kannan, I.A.S., District Collector, Virudhunagar District, via video conferencing.

(3.) The learned Additional Advocate General, on instructions, submitted that there is a sudden spike in the number of persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Virudhunagar District on account of relaxation of lock down effective 01.06.2020 and that has created an alarm to the district administration. He further submitted that under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines, if a person is tested positive for COVID-19, he should be isolated from his family members and his family members also should be quarantined for a period of fourteen days; however, taking into consideration, the economic status of the masses in the countryside, the household is not able to provide quarantine facilities such as separate toilet, bathroom, etc. for the persons under quarantine, as prescribed; therefore, in order to protect the family members of the persons who are tested positive for COVID-19 and also for ensuring that the persons who have been tested positive do not spread the pandemic to others, the District Collector, Virudhunagar, has issued the impugned note to immediately identify the persons who were in contact with persons tested positive for COVID-19 in Virudhunagar District and quarantine those persons at the COVID-19 Care Centres.